Laimer shines in midfield at the biggest stage
Konrad Laimer’s performance on Tuesday defined what it is to be a box-to-box midfielder. Whilst Leon Goretzka was deployed in more of an anchor role, Laimer worked his socks off, particularly early on, to prevent Real Madrid’s midfielders from settling into any kind of rhythm. The Austrian international put himself about everywhere and he could be forgiven for taking a moment to catch his breath just before Toni Kroos released Vinicius Junior to score the visitors’ first goal.
Laimer combined tempered aggression with attacking intent. It was his pass that found Leroy Sane to score Bayern’s equalizer. It was a superbly versatile performance from Laimer. More of the same will be needed from him in the second leg.